Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC

Detlef Hahn

Volker Peters

Cedric Rouatbi

Heiko Eggers

Roger W Fincher

Larry A Watkins

Friedhelm Makohl

Volker Krueger

Peter S Aronstam

Sven Krueger

Harald Grimmer

Eckard Scholz

Gerald Heisig

Heige Brand

Methods and systems for generating pulses in drilling fluid are described. The methods include driving rotation of a rotor relative to a stator of a pulser assembly in an oscillatory manner. The oscillatory manner includes rotating an obstructing element from a middle position to a first blocking angle position and rotating the obstructing element from the first blocking angle position to a second blocking angle position such that selective obstruction occurs. Rotation of the at least one obstructing element selectively obstructs a stator flow passage when drilling fluid is flowing through the drill string to generate a pressure pulse in the drilling fluid and the oscillatory manner is an oscillation of the obstructing element between the first blocking angle position and the second blocking angle position such that a single oscillation is between two obstructed states of the stator flow passage.

Oscillating shear valve for mud pulse telemetry and operation thereof

A mud pulse telemetry system comprises a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. A non-venting pulser is disposed in the drilling fluid in the supply line, and the non-venting pulser is adapted to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid. A downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser is adapted to detect the pressure fluctuations in the drilling fluid. A method for transmitting pressure signals from a surface location to a downhole location in a wellbore, comprises disposing a non-venting pulser in a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. The non-venting pulser is actuated to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid according to a predetermined encoding scheme. The pressure fluctuations are detected with a downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser.

Downlink pulser for mud pulse telemetry

One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Active bottomhole pressure control with liner drilling and completion systems

An oscillating shear valve system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a stationary stator and an oscillating rotor, both with axial flow passages. The rotor oscillates in close proximity to the stator, at least partially blocking the flow through the stator and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The rotor passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, facilitating rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude facilitating enhanced, multivalent data encoding. The rotor is driven by a motorized gear drive. In one embodiment, a torsional spring is attached to the motor and the resulting spring mass system is designed to be near resonance at the desired pulse frequency. The system enables the use of multivalent encoding schemes for increasing data rates.

Oscillating shear valve for mud pulse telemetry

A method of transmitting pressure pulses from a downhole location through a flowing fluid in a wellbore comprises using a linear actuator to controllably move a reciprocating member axially back and forth between a first position and a second position to at least partially obstruct flow of the flowing fluid to generate the pressure pulses. A reciprocating pulser for generating pressure pulses in a fluid flowing in a wellbore, comprises a fluid passage that allows flow of the fluid through the pulser, and a reciprocating member. A linear actuator is coupled to the reciprocating member, such that the linear actuator moves the reciprocating member in a first axial direction and then in a reverse direction to at least partially obstruct flow of the fluid through the pulser to generate pressure pulses in the flowing fluid.

Reciprocating pulser for mud pulse telemetry

Oscillating shear valve for mud pulse telemetry and associated methods of use

A reciprocating pulser system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a reciprocating poppet and a stationary valve assembly with axial flow passages. The poppet reciprocates in close proximity to the valve assembly, at least partially blocking the flow through the valve assembly and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The poppet passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, enabling rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude thereby facilitating enhanced data encoding. The poppet is driven by a linear electric motor disposed in a lubricant filled housing. In one embodiment, the housing to shaft seal is a flexible bellows. In one embodiment, a force balance spring is used to essentially offset the hydraulic flow forces on the poppet. In one embodiment, a bypass poppet is used to adjust the differential pressure across the valve assembly.

Hydraulically balanced reciprocating pulser valve for mud pulse telemetry

An anti-plugging oscillating shear valve system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a stationary stator and an oscillating rotor, both with axial flow passages. The rotor oscillates in close proximity to the stator, at least partially blocking the flow through the stator and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The rotor passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, facilitating rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude facilitating enhanced data encoding. The rotor is driven by a electric motor disposed in a lubricant filled housing. In one embodiment, the housing to shaft seal is a flexible bellows. In one embodiment, a torsional spring is attached to the motor and the resulting spring mass system is designed to be near resonance at the desired pulse frequency. The torsion spring may be a solid torsion bar or a magnetic spring.

The present invention provides apparatus and method for drilling a wellbore wherein a pilot wellbore section is drilled with a bit which section is enlarged by a trailing underreamer to the desired size. One or more steering sections between the underreamer and the drill bit are utilized for maintaining and changing the drilling direction. Each steering section includes a plurality of independently adjustable force application devices on a non-rotating sleeve. If an expandable liner is used, then an expansion device disposed above the underreamer expands the liner during retrieval of the drilling assembly to the surface.

Apparatus and method for simultaneous drilling and casing wellbores

A drilling liner having a core bit at its bottom end is carried along with a pilot bit on an inner bottom hole assembly driven by a downhole mud motor. In one embodiment, the motor is powered by mud carried by an inner string. Alternatively, the inner string may be omitted and the flow of mud through the liner powers the motor: this requires a locking tool for locking the motor assembly to the outer assembly. Once an abnormally (high or low) pressured zone has been traversed, the liner is set as a casing, the inner assembly is pulled out, and drilling may be resumed using a conventional tool. Directional drilling is accomplished by having an MWD device for providing directional information and having directional devices on the inner and outer assembly. These include retractable steering pads. Expandable bits, under-reamers and jetting nozzles may also be used in the drilling process. One embodiment of the invention has a bottom thruster between the mud motor and the drill bits that makes it possible to continue drilling for a limited distance even if the upper portion of the casing is stuck.

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Hannover, Germany

Detlef Hahn